[CQ-Contest] [cq-contest] Re: What To Expect for 10-Meters???

[Bill Turner]

At 09:57 PM 12/6/2005, Ward Silver wrote:

>At the bottom of the solar cycle,
>like this, you'll get to experience some really unusual propagation that in
>high-sunspot years isn't emphasized.

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Ward is right about unusual propagation, especially noticeable on CW. 
Listen around dawn, before the band is really open and you'll hear 
some scatter signals, probably a combination of meteor and various 
ionospheric modes. I'm no expert on propagation so I can't really 
identify their exact nature but I found them quite fascinating to 
hear. Signals will be weak and watery with some occasionally popping 
up out of the noise quite strong and fading back quickly.

This is best done with a beam, but even with a dipole and some 
persistence you may be able to make a few QSOs and when the band 
actually opens you'll be there and ready. Have fun!

73, Bill W6WRT